!Nawases-Tayele debacle: Swapo asks for more time
Swapo has asked for more time to decide on a course of action following a legal threat from its member Evelyn !Nawases-Tayele, who is demanding that the results of the deputy secretary general elections, held at the party’s recent congress, be nullified.
!Nawases-Tayele was unexpectedly barred from a re-run after neither she nor her two competitors, Uahekua Herunga and David Hamutenya, obtained the required majority of over 50% of the votes.
Although she came second to Herunga, who had the most votes, !Nawases-Tayele was excluded from the re-run, with presiding officer Joshua Kaumbi stating that, in his interpretation of the Swapo constitution, she should be eliminated from the race because of her gender.
This is due to Swapo’s controversial gender balance policy, which many camps in the party often interpret in accordance with their own personal interests.
Important consideration
!Nawases-Tayele is challenging the decision to bar her from the re-run, saying it was unfair and un-procedural.
Last week, she wrote to Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa, threatening litigation should the matter not be resolved.
Shaningwa, however, in a letter to !Nawases-Tayele’s lawyer, requested more time, citing the matter as important.
"The issues raised by your client are important and weighty. Those issues undoubtedly require proper reflection and consideration," Shaningwa wrote to !Nawases-Tayele's lawyer, Florian Beukes.
!Nawases-Tayele was advised that the party would respond on Wednesday.
"Your client’s anticipated understanding of the above is appreciated. We shall respond to your client’s letter on 14 December 2022," Shaningwa said.
Interpretation disputed
Beukes told Shaningwa last week that Kaumbi’s interpretation of the party constitution is wanting.
"Our client was not allowed the opportunity to stand for the re-run on the basis of the flawed interpretation despite having the second-highest votes. Should the rules be applied as is, our client was entitled to take part in the re-run alongside comrade Herunga," Beukes argued.
!Nawases-Tayele threatened legal action against the party should it not rectify the injustices she claims she has endured at the Kaumbi-led decision.
"Should the Party not be amenable to rectifying the injustice suffered by our client, we hold instructions to institute legal proceedings on an urgent basis to declare the elections invalid and have it set aside," Beukes said.
!Nawases-Tayele was unexpectedly barred from a re-run after neither she nor her two competitors, Uahekua Herunga and David Hamutenya, obtained the required majority of over 50% of the votes.
Although she came second to Herunga, who had the most votes, !Nawases-Tayele was excluded from the re-run, with presiding officer Joshua Kaumbi stating that, in his interpretation of the Swapo constitution, she should be eliminated from the race because of her gender.
This is due to Swapo’s controversial gender balance policy, which many camps in the party often interpret in accordance with their own personal interests.
Important consideration
!Nawases-Tayele is challenging the decision to bar her from the re-run, saying it was unfair and un-procedural.
Last week, she wrote to Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa, threatening litigation should the matter not be resolved.
Shaningwa, however, in a letter to !Nawases-Tayele’s lawyer, requested more time, citing the matter as important.
"The issues raised by your client are important and weighty. Those issues undoubtedly require proper reflection and consideration," Shaningwa wrote to !Nawases-Tayele's lawyer, Florian Beukes.
!Nawases-Tayele was advised that the party would respond on Wednesday.
"Your client’s anticipated understanding of the above is appreciated. We shall respond to your client’s letter on 14 December 2022," Shaningwa said.
Interpretation disputed
Beukes told Shaningwa last week that Kaumbi’s interpretation of the party constitution is wanting.
"Our client was not allowed the opportunity to stand for the re-run on the basis of the flawed interpretation despite having the second-highest votes. Should the rules be applied as is, our client was entitled to take part in the re-run alongside comrade Herunga," Beukes argued.
!Nawases-Tayele threatened legal action against the party should it not rectify the injustices she claims she has endured at the Kaumbi-led decision.
"Should the Party not be amenable to rectifying the injustice suffered by our client, we hold instructions to institute legal proceedings on an urgent basis to declare the elections invalid and have it set aside," Beukes said.
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